DES 213: DIGITAL TOOLS IN 3D DESIGN BREANNA BROWNING-WILSON SPRING 2026, USC ROSKI
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Class Materials



Week 9: Thursday, March 12
In-Class:


Homework (due 3/26):
 PROJECT 02 DEADLINE MOVED: DUE APRIL 2
  • Continue working on Project 02.
  • You should have significant progress on your final print/object, a clear direction and progress on your art directed photographs, and an idea of how you’ll present/talk about your project. 
  • There will be NO LATE WORK accepted due to 3D printing delays for the final project. Please plan accordingly. 


Week 8: Thursday, March 5


Homework (due 3/12):

  • Complete your draft 3D print and bring it to class next week (3/12).
  • Based on what you observe from the draft print and our 1:1 conversations, choose a direction for your final print. Begin modifying and preparing your file for the final version.
  • At the same time, begin brainstorming the art direction for your final photo(s). Consider how you want the object to be presented visually and what story you might want to tell or what idea you might want to communicate. We will discuss strategies for presenting work in detail next week. 



Week 7: Thursday, February 26


In-Class:


    

Homework (due 3/5):

  • Continue developing transformations of your Project 1 model in Rhino.
  • Push further than your initial experiments -- try combining multiple operations, applying your “rules” more rigorously, or exploring a different direction.
  • Select one transformation to commit to as your final direction. Prepare that model for 3D printing: check geometry (closed polysurface), consider fabrication logic (based on today’s tutorial and Galen lab demo), and think about orientation and scale.
  • You may begin printing your draft print if you feel confident about your file and direction. Consider the processing/print times at Galen lab in your planning.


Week 6: Thursday, February 19


In-Class:
Intro to Project 02

Homework (due 2/26):

Part 1: Drawing update
  • Revise your drawing
  • Incorporate any feedback from class
  • Submit a revised version of your large-format drawing as a PDF to this Google Drive folder before class next week.
  • Name your file “Lastname_Firstname”

Part 2: Reading
  • Read the assigned excerpt from Jane Bennett, Vibrant Matter, Chapter 1: "The Force of Things." 
  • Come to class ready to discuss.
  • You can find the PDF on the Resources page 

Part 3: Begin translating your model
  • Start exploring transformations of your Project 1 model in Rhino. 
  • Try multiple operations and combinations. 
  • Come to class next week with at least a few experiments to share.
  • You do not need to worry about whether your models are 3D printable yet - we will cover this next week. 


Week 5: Thursday, February 12

 In-Class:
 ⚙️ Tutorial: Rhino 3 (Vector Drawings with Rhino and Illustrator) 

Talk: Beyond Technical Drawings



Homework:
PROJECT 01 DUE NEXT WEEK 2/19

Complete project 01.  Refer to Project 1 Brief for questions about deliverables.

Drawing Expectations:

Your large-format vector drawing should be a designed interpretation of your object, not just documentation.

Technical Requirements:
  • Clean vector linework from Make2D
  • Deliberate line weight hierarchy
  • Print-ready at specified dimensions
  • PRINTED and brought to class — test print beforehand to check line weights and scale

Design Decisions:
  • Choose your approach (technical, abstract, diagrammatic, pattern, etc.) - refer to today’s talk 
  • Make intentional choices about view, composition, color, emphasis
  • The drawing should reveal something about the object that isn't obvious from physical observation alone

Craft:
  • No stray lines or messy geometry
  • Consistent line weights or fills within categories
  • This is a constructed argument about what matters in your object. If you can't articulate why you made specific choices (view angle, line weight, composition), keep iterating. 

Submission:
  • Submit your digital files in this Google Drive folder (you must be logged in to your USC email). You should title your folder “Lastname_Firstname) 
  • Print your final drawing and bring it to class next week. Size is up to you, but should be AT LEAST 18” x 24”.  



Week 4: Thursday, February 5


Homework (due 2/12):
Model your object in full detail. Refer to notes below.


Week 3: Thursday, January 29


In-Class:
⚙️ Tutorial: Rhino 2 (getting started in 3D)

Homework (due 2/12):
Model your object in full detail. Using your measured 2D drawings from last week, build a complete 3D model of your object in Rhino.

  • Model all major components of the object (do not simplify it into a single form).
  • Use layers and good file management practices. 
  • Your model should be accurate to real-world scale.
  • Use appropriate tools (extrude, revolve, boolean operations, fillets/chamfers, etc.) based on the object’s geometry.
  • Pay attention to how parts relate and connect to each other.

This model will serve as the foundation for future steps, so take the time to get the structure right.

***Note: There will be no in-person class next week. I will be available for virtual check-ins and help by appointment. Please email me. Use this time to work steadily and reach out if you get stuck.


Week 2: Thursday, January 22

In-Class:
⚙️ Tutorial: Intro to Rhino (installation, getting started, drawing with curves)

Homework (due 1/29):

Part 1: Practice using Rhino
  •  Review the tutorial we did together in class again if needed. 
  • Become familiar with using your mouse, the interface, and how the software is organized. 

Part 2: Use the curve tools we learned in class to make a “flat” drawing of your object from two different view.  
  • You can choose top view, side view, bottom view, etc.
  • You should include as much detail as possible - you’ll use this as a base for modeling in 3D.
  • Your drawing should be measurable and accurate to the real-life scale/size of your object. 
  • Be precise! 


Week 1: Thursday, January 15

In-Class:
Project 1 Brief

Intro Lecture pdf


Homework (due 1/22):

Part 1: Readings + Response 
  • Read the two required readings for Week 1 (pdfs are on the Resources page)
  • Write 1 paragraph answering the following question:  In your own words, what makes a digital object "real"?  
  • No AI for this assignment
  • PS- I know this is a lot - do your best and don’t stress too much :) 

Part 2: Find an Object for Project 1
  • Refer to project 1 brief for specifications 
  • Bring your object to class next week 





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